Debra''s words were a gauntlet thrown, a challenge only she and Edgar understood.


    Edgar''s smile faded like the setting sun.


    Ashley whispered her ridicule. "Has Debra lost her marbles? Does she really think her dance is worth five billion?" "Who does she think she is? She is done for," echoed another trainee.


    Their eyes gleamed with anticipation of Debra''s imminent downfall.


    Edgar waved a dismissive hand. "I''m not in the mood today. Since you sprained your ankle, let''s forget about it."


    Henry mopped the sweat from his brow, relief flooding through him. He couldn''t afford to offend Debra with Juan backing her, nor could he cross Edgar, the head of the Odom family.


    Eve, ever the opportunist, stepped forward. "Mr. Odom, if Debra won''t dance, I will. I''m a much better dancer than her."


    But Edgar didn''t even spare her a nce. Instead, he stood up and said, "Let''s wrap this up. I hear you have physical training sessions in the afternoon."


    "Yes, but the intense training is usually in the morning," replied Henry.


    "Then let''s simte the morning training here. I''ll be observing," said Edgar.


    The trainees groaned inwardly.


    For physical training, they were supposed to be bare-faced, but there was no time to remove their makeup now.


    Debra, the only one without makeup, watched the others squirm.


    Freya was originally bare-faced too,


    but since both male and female trainees were present today, she had applied light makeup. The request annoyed her as well.


    Sweat and makeup were not a good mix.


    "Sure. I''ll get them to the training field right away," Henry said, ushering Edgar out.


    Eve caught up with her father and whispered something in his ear. Despite his reluctance, Henry let someone take her away.


    She strutted out, looking smug, with


    Hannah by her side. When they


    reached the training ground, ne


    Eve


    was thest to arrive, her makeup removed.


    The other trainees grumbled under their breath, jealous of her privileges.


    "I wondered what she was doing. Turns out she went to remove her makeup."


    "Having connections makes a difference. What can you do when her dad is the chairman?"


    Edgar pped his hands, drawing everyone''s attention. "Let''s start with 30ps."Còntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org


    Henry nched. "30ps?"


    Even the male trainees looked daunted. Hannah stepped forward, trying to exin, "They already had intense training this morning 30ps now might be too muc


    Edgar was unmoved. "If they can''t handle this, how will they cope with the challenges of debuting?"


    He sat down and added, "I''ll be watching. I suppose they canplete 30ps in an hour if you work hard enough."


    30ps equaled over ten thousand meters. Edgar was clearly out for blood.


    Henry steeled himself, turning to the trainees. "You heard the man. Stop dawdling and start running."